Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeon
Treatment / Procedures / ACDF
The most commonly performed cervical spine procedure. Removes a damaged disc, decompresses the nerve, and fuses the adjacent vertebrae through a small incision in the front of the neck. Niceville, Florida.
Cervical disc replacement removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial implant that preserves motion at the treated level, reducing stress on the discs above and below.
Cervical artificial disc replacement, also called cervical total disc arthroplasty, is a motion-preserving alternative to ACDF for appropriate patients. Like ACDF, it is performed through a small incision in the front of the neck and fully decompresses the nerve root or spinal cord. Unlike ACDF, the damaged disc is replaced with an artificial implant rather than fused, which preserves natural motion at the treated level.
The main advantage over fusion is that keeping the level mobile reduces the extra stress placed on the discs above and below, which may lower the risk of adjacent segment problems over time. Multiple long-term studies show outcomes equal to or better than fusion for single-level disease in well-selected patients.
Dr. Enguidanos evaluates each patient carefully to decide whether disc replacement or ACDF is the better fit based on anatomy, bone quality, and the specific problem. He performs cervical disc replacement at HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, Florida, serving the Florida Panhandle and Gulf Coast.
Disc replacement is recommended only after appropriate non-surgical care has been tried, or when there is cord compression or progressive weakness. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, activity changes, and cervical injections are evaluated first.
Many patients improve without surgery. When symptoms persist and imaging confirms a problem suited to motion preservation, disc replacement becomes the appropriate next step for the right candidate.
The approach is the same small front-of-neck incision used for ACDF, reaching the spine through natural tissue planes without cutting muscle. The damaged disc is removed completely and the endplates are carefully prepared to seat the implant.
All compressive material is cleared until the nerve root or spinal cord is fully decompressed. The disc space is sized precisely and the artificial disc is positioned under imaging guidance to restore normal height and alignment. No plate is needed. Most patients go home the same day or the next morning, often without a collar.
Disc replacement is one of several cervical approaches. The right choice depends on your anatomy, bone quality, and goals. Dr. Enguidanos evaluates every patient individually.
The most common cervical procedure. Removes the disc and fuses the level for patients who are not candidates for motion preservation.
Used for multilevel disease or cases needing decompression and stabilization from the back of the neck.
Enlarges the opening where a single nerve root exits, relieving compression without removing the disc.
Every patient who walks through our door follows the same path. It starts with listening and ends only at surgery if nothing else works.
Dr. Enguidanos meets with you personally. He reviews your imaging, takes your full history, and listens carefully to your lifestyle, your goals, and what has and has not worked so far.
In-person with Dr. EnguidanosSurgery is never the first answer. Before any procedure is considered, every appropriate non-surgical option is explored — physical therapy, medication management, injections, and regenerative medicine.
Physical therapy, injections, regenerative medicineWhen conservative care has been exhausted and surgery is the right answer, Dr. Enguidanos applies thirty years of surgical depth. From minimally invasive procedures to complex deformity reconstruction, every level is handled.
Only when everything else has been consideredDR. STEPHEN T. ENGUIDANOS MD | SPINE SURGERY | NICEVILLE, FL
Your information is private and will never be shared.
DR. STEPHEN T. ENGUIDANOS MD | SPINE SURGERY | NICEVILLE, FL
Your information is private and will never be shared.